Demands for troops to safeguard Iraq

Pressure mounted on the Government today to send more troops to Iraq, as international wrangles continued over whether a new United Nations resolution could pave the way for more foreign forces to become involved.

Pressure mounted on the Government today to send more troops to Iraq, as international wrangles continued over whether a new United Nations resolution could pave the way for more foreign forces to become involved.

The Tories and the Liberal Democrats joined calls for more back-up for British troops and Prime Minister Tony Blair's special envoy on human rights in Iraq Ann Clwyd said she believed that more soldiers were needed.

Leaked documents have shown Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is pressing for 5,000 more troops to be sent to beef up the existing force.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has ordered a review of force strength in Iraq and speculation is mounting that an announcement on reinforcements could come as early as next week, when the Commons resumes for a short session.

Shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin said today that the Government has "got to face up to its commitments".

Speaking on GMTV, he added that unless something was done soon, soldiers' lives were being put at risk.

Ms Clwyd told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Clearly the number of troops are not strong enough to protect the entire country against those determined to sabotage its reconstruction."

The UN security council was expected to meet later today to see if agreement could be reached on a fresh UN resolution on Iraq which could pave the way for greater multi-national peacekeeping involvement.

* Al-Qaida is still planning an attack similar to the September 11 strikes, using hijacked aircraft as missiles, the US was warned today.

And the FBI said terrorists - who might disguise themselves as women - may try to poison food or water supplies.